Every dog is different! Which type of class will be better for your dog depends on their needs, personality, and, of course, your preference. With services being modified during Covid, Dogs In Harmony is offering private lessons (dog only, or outdoor private lessons with humans) as well as dog only group classes to accommodate the needs and preferences of all of our clients.
Private Lessons
A private lesson is a one-on-one training session that includes either the dog and trainer, or you and your dog with the trainer. These lessons will be held either in our training center or locally in an outdoor setting.
Advantages of Private Lessons:
Work only on what you need. A private class focuses on your specific needs and gives you time to work on problems and behaviors that are important to you.
Fear and aggression. A dog who is fearful or aggressive might not be a good candidate for good classes, and private lessons are a much more appropriate training opportunity.
Minimal distractions. Increase your probability of success by controlling and minimizing distractions. Dogs may find it easier to focus when it’s just you and your trainer.
Absence training. When did you last leave your dog alone for an hour? If you’re working from home, you might be seeing more of your dog than usual. Leaving your dog for a group class or private lesson will provide them with time away from you, and that time will be spent in a controlled learning environment. You don’t need to leave them at home and hope for the best, with both private and group lessons you’ll know that your dog is not only safe, but is actively learning and not experiencing anxiety about your absence.
Team building. With other distractions minimized, your dog can really focus on you. This focus is a critical part of building a team and training relationship. If your dog can’t focus on you in private lessons, they might find it difficult to focus on you in group lessons.
Group Classes
Dogs In Harmony group classes are currently “dog-only” and are hosted inside of our training center. These classes combine dogs of similar age, temperament, experience, and play style to make for an enriching class that combines training with the dog and human socialization that is severely lacking these days.
Advantages of Group Classes:
Distractions. Wait, distractions are an advantage? Yes! For many dogs, learned behaviors can go out the window when there are intriguing distractions. A group class provides an opportunity to “proof” behaviors among distractions. Learn more about the advantages of working around distractions.
Socialization. Dog play dates are currently few and far between. If your dog’s favorite thing in the world is meeting another dog, they need to learn to interact in a way that is calm, controlled, and safe. These dog-only group classes give them an opportunity to learn to interact appropriately with others.
Absence training. When did you last leave your dog alone for an hour? If you’re working from home, you might be seeing more of your dog than usual. Leaving your dog for a group class or private lesson will provide them with time away from you, and that time will be spent in a controlled learning environment. You don’t need to leave them at home and hope for the best, with both private and group lessons you’ll know that your dog is not only safe, but is actively learning and not experiencing anxiety about your absence.
Impulse Control. Dogs everywhere! Dog-only group classes and Harmony School provide dogs and puppies with an excellent opportunity to learn from and around other dogs. Between individual exercises, your dog or puppy will be expected to wait for their own turn. Your dog’s ability to learn in the presence of another dog teaches them that they can interact with other dogs when they’re allowed to do so and will need to ignore that powerful distraction when needed.
Which Dogs In Harmony learning option is best for you and your dog? If you have questions about which program will be best for you, please message us at info@harmonydogs.net